Eating disorders are quite common in this day and age, especially with social media creating an ideal of how ‘perfect” bodies should look. According to a 2005 Global Market Insite Study at NEDA, four out of ten people have either experienced an eating disorder first-hand, or they know someone close to them who has.

Eating disorders include:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Binge eating disorder

Eating disorders are a health issue made up from complicated biological, environmental and psychological components, and with rapid urbanisation in South Africa, experts have expected rates of eating disorders to rise. The key to preventing this is staying informed and having the appropriate support mechanisms in place to help those affected. There are tell-tale signs to look for in friends or loved ones who might be battling with an eating disorder. By recognising the symptoms and approaching them about your assumptions, you might be able to assist them in getting the help they need to push through this battle.

1. Obsession With Weight, Weight Gain And Fluctuations In Weight

People suffering with eating disorders will go through many physical changes, and this could be highly noticeable. Sudden drop in weight or extreme fluctuations in weight are usually a sign that something might be going on behind the scenes. You might find that they are always dieting, even though they are extremely underweight already. In some cases, sufferers will not be able to stop talking about weight, diets and body shape. They might be completely fixated with their own body shape, unhappy with it and taking whatever drastic dietary or fitness measures to change it.

2. Behaviour During Meal Time And Regarding Food

Various different eating habits will start becoming prevalent with a person suffering from an eating disorder. These range from being very picky about the food being eaten to wanting to control meal times and the preparation of foods. Some sufferers will take time to create elaborate meals for the family, but then won’t join in the eating as they are “too full” or “not hungry anymore”.

They might pick over food for long periods of time, or cut their food into tiny pieces before eating. They might rush off to the bathroom straight after a meal to purge or choose to eat late at night when everyone is sleeping, usually bingeing on food when no one is watching. They might also become quite obsessive with their caloric intake, measuring and weighing foods and heavily restricting their intake.

3. Extreme Increase In Exercise

Another sign that your friend or loved one may be struggling with an eating disorder is that they are completely gripped with the need to exercise. After eating, they will want to go and work off all the calories consumed immediately. Before eating they might want to exercise to speed up their metabolism in order to burn their food quicker. They will generally increase the amount of exercise they do without increasing their intake of calories to help them fuel the workouts.

Addressing the potential issue is the first step towards helping the sufferer get the help they need. Through healthy eating, mindfulness and a proper exercise regime, they can hopefully find peace in their bodies without going to drastic measures.